Australia and England will lock horns in the final of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Lord’s on Sunday, with both unbeaten sides aiming to create history.
Six-time champions Australia are chasing a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title, while hosts England are looking to become the first team to win two Women’s T20 World Cups on home soil, having lifted the inaugural edition in 2009.
Australia booked their place in the final with a dominant eight-wicket victory over West Indies, completing a flawless campaign of six wins from six matches under new captain Sophie Molineux.
Leading Australia for the first time in a World Cup after succeeding Alyssa Healy earlier this year, Molineux has overseen a campaign built on collective contributions rather than individual brilliance. Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner have all delivered in crucial moments, with Perry emerging as one of the tournament’s standout performers after winning three Player of the Match awards in six games.
“The advantage we have is that a lot of this group has played in big finals before. We can draw on that experience when it matters most,” Gardner said after Australia’s semi-final victory.
“We’re not relying on one or two players. Different people have stepped up at different stages, and that’s been one of our biggest strengths.”
England, meanwhile, enter the final brimming with confidence after an impressive campaign. Danni Wyatt-Hodge is the tournament’s leading run-scorer, while Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean are among the leading wicket-takers. Their comprehensive 40-run victory over South Africa in the semi-final underlined the form that has taken them to their first Women’s T20 World Cup final since 2018.
However, standing in their way is a familiar nemesis.
England have not defeated Australia in any format since July 2023, losing eight consecutive matches, including an Ashes whitewash in Australia last year.
Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who recovered from a calf injury during the tournament, believes England are prepared to challenge the defending champions.
“We’ve been very clear about how we want to play our cricket in this tournament and the way we believe we can beat Australia,” Sciver-Brunt said.
“They’re a world-class side and have dominated women’s cricket for several years, but we have to back ourselves and go toe-to-toe with them.”
For Australia, victory would further cement their extraordinary dominance in global women’s cricket. For England, lifting the trophy at Lord’s would not only end their long wait for a major ICC title but also snap their losing streak against Australia on the biggest stage.
